October 25, 2009 [ Updated November 23, 2009 ]
Right off hwy 1. The guy that helped me knew his stuff very well. When asking a question about a pricey beer, he was honest and discoraged me from making a specific purchase, because it wasn’t as good as a similar beer I was already getting. I am not in the area very often but will make my way back for sure.

December 24, 2008 [ Updated August 18, 2009 ]
To paraphrase other reviewers, 41st has the best selection in Santa Cruz. I was a little worried that the new bevmo that just went in a couple blocks down the street was going to make 41st irrelevant, but it still has a much better selection of Belgian British, and German beers, which are all sold in singles for the most part. Not as many american craft varieties, but plenty of stuff that bevmo does not have, including more local stuff (Uncommon Brewers). Many beers are sold as singles for just a small mark-up, which bevmo does not do at all. Just recently, Brewdog*s lineup is available including the paradox series, though theyre not cheap. They also have a nice selection of lambic for those so inclined. UPDATE: Persistence pays off. Show them how enthusiastic you are about beer, and they will help you out. Lower prices than Bevmo. Love the glassware selection. I’m a sucker for that shit.

January 27, 2008 [ Updated April 25, 2009 ]
41st Avenue Liquors is nestled in a huge brick facade just west of the highway. The selection is easily the best in the area and beyond. There are big cooler doors straight towards the back of the store that contain lots of US micros with a focus on west coast stuff, especially northern California. Drake’s, Moylan’s, Bear Republic, and Lagunitas all have several offerings here. Another cooler door is devoted to Belgians, including St Bernardus, Rochefort, Westmalle, Fantome, DuPont, and many more. They also carry a nice German and British selection in the coolers. If you turn around from the wall of refrigerated beer, there’s a low series of shelves that contain many more rare and unique beers. Featured here are Cantillon, Girardin, hard-to-find Allagash, Rogue XS series, etc. Stone now distributes here and there are several of their offerings carried here.

October 16, 2007
I used to drive by this place all the time when I used to live in the area. It has a nice radius brick façade with adjoining dry cleaners. The coolers house three doors of west coast and local offerings with the majority being singles. Another two or so doors have US craft brews and beyond. The opposite low shelf has lots of Belgian and other European offerings. I saw some Cantillon and the un blended Lambic sour bomb Iris from 2004. Surprisingly wide selection. I will stop by next time I’m in the area.

September 21, 2007
Stopped here on a recent weekend getway with the family. Made the quick 10 minute drive and found this place right off the highway. Popped in and found the selection to be equivilent to most low-end BevMo’s, carry the usual array of easy to find CA micros, Belgian, German and UK stuff too. I went there on a weekend and the cashier was relatively unhelpful for any questions. Decent selection though and worth a stop if you are passing thru just to see if there’s anything there you can find.

December 29, 2006
My local bottle shop. In the brick faced building next to the dry cleaners and laundromat. Liquor on the left, wine on the right and beer in the coolers and on the shelves behind the center cash register island. A good selection of NorCal brews like Lagunitas, Bear Republic, Speakeasy, Drake’s and Marin. A good selection of Belgians with constants like St. Bernardus, Westmalle, and Saison Dupont and many others that come and go. The usual UK and German selection with some interesting stuff at times like Meantime IPA and London Porter. Staff is variable. Typical liquor store clerks to some that will at least show some interest in your choices or offer some recommendations. Prices are average. Certainly could be better but also could be a whole lot worse and has the most interesting selection in the Santa Cruz area for what its worth.